Page 98 of Indecent
“You did?” Prudence hadn’t thought her feelings were obvious. Perhaps she really was rubbish at hiding them. She’d definitely become incapable of tucking them away as her mother—the woman who’d raised and shaped her—had wanted. Her feelings aside, she didn’t think Bennet was in love with her.
The countess shrugged. “It seemed you shared at least some affinity for one another. Is there no hope that love will come?”
“I don’t think so.” Prudence heard her own lack of conviction. If her mother had seen something, was it possible she and Bennet just needed to bare themselves completely?
A prickle of unease settled between her shoulder blades. She’d been angry and frustrated with him for not being honest with her, but she hadn’t told him the biggest, most important secret of all—that she loved him. That she wanted this baby—his baby—more than anything and would fight for their happiness. If he would let her.
“You don’t sound as if you believe that,” Christina said. “What will you do?”
“I’m not certain yet. But tonight, I must go to a ball, apparently.”
The countess grinned. “Yes. We will make a magnificent entrance with Cassandra and Wexford, Aldington and Sabrina, Lucien, and the duke. No one will dare say a word against you. I daresay you will be quite popular.”
Prudence doubted that, nor did she care. This was a favor she was doing for her mother. Because if it was up to Prudence, she’d be on her way back to Aberforth Place as quickly as possible.
Chapter21
Bennet took the stairs at the Phoenix Club two at a time. He went directly to Lucien’s office, but found it empty. Next, he went to the less populated library. He wasn’t there either. Frustration growing, Bennet stalked into the more crowded members’ den, where he noticed several stares directed toward him.
Still no Lucien. Where the hell was he?
Turning on his heel, he strode back toward the stairs, intent on searching the gaming room on the ground floor. But Lucien was coming up the stairs.
When he reached the top, he advanced on Bennet until they were nearly nose to nose. “I ought to hit you for allowing my cousin to return to London alone, but you’d probably trounce me.”
“I won’t.” Bennet took a step back. “Take your shot. I deserve it.”
Scowling, Lucien let out a low growl before turning toward his office. Bennet followed him.
“Who started this officious rumor?” Bennet asked as soon as they were inside.
Lucien closed the door with force. It wasn’t quite a slam, but it was in the vicinity. “You mean the true story of my poor cousin? It may be a rumor, but it’s not wrong.” His dark eyes simmered with anger.
Bennet had been trying very hard to keep his own ire in check. He was reminded of how difficult it was because he suddenly wanted to toss something across the room.
“It isn’t correct either,” Bennet bit out. “You didn’t pay me to marry her.”
“Didn’t we? Just answer me one question. Is there a babe?”
Fury seethed in Bennet’s gut. He clenched his fists at his sides. “That’s none of your concern. It’s none of anyone’s concern.”
“That’s an answer.”
“I’m going to try to forget you even asked me. It shouldn’t matter.”
“Itdoesmatter. I believed you’d fallen in love. However, it now seems that you wed because of a child.”
While that wasn’t wrong, it also wasn’t completely right. Bennethadfallen in love. But he likely would not have married her if not for the child. Christ, he hated how all this had happened. Why couldn’t he have fallen in love with Prudence and simply married her? Because his family was broken, he was destitute, and he’d been scared of what he might become.
He couldn’t keep torturing himself with all that had gone wrong or all that might go wrong. All that mattered was that he loved Prudence and he loved their child, whatever the future held. He was still scared to death, but he wasn’t alone.
He wasn’t alone.
Bennet met Lucien’s gaze and spoke clearly so there would be no misunderstanding. “The reasons for our marriage are complicated. Andprivate. However, I have a plan that involves a rather public spectacle. I need to ask you for one last favor.” Lucien frowned, and Bennet nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all. “I need you to make sure Prudence is at the Tilden ball tonight.”
“That’s rather late notice. Why?”
“I don’t have time to explain. Just promise me you’ll get her there.”
